A BATCH of custom-made football shirts is being manufactured to promote goodwill between Coventry and China.

The international trade team at Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce has commissioned 60 footie shirts made up of half a Sky Blues top spliced with half a China national team shirt.

And Coventry's business leaders will be flying out with them to the Far East.

The hybrid shirts are made by Coventry firm 4 Club & Country, which launched its unique product range earlier this year.

Mark Eaton, director of the chamber's China trade liaison office, said he would present the special shirts to dignitaries during the traditional exchange of gifts.

He said: "It is becoming more difficult to find original gifts for the Chinese, as they manufacture so many of the things available themselves in their own country.

"When we saw the 4 Club & Country shirts we thought they would make ideal presents because they are a nation of sports fanatics.

"We are one of the leading chambers in the UK for promoting trade links with China and it is thoughtful touches such as this which help promote goodwill between us and our Chinese counterparts."

Dubbed the chamber's Mr China, Mr Eaton's work in the Shandong province earned him the honour of being made a special consultant of the Shandong CCPIT - the Chinese equivalent of the UK's Chambers of Commerce.

Its capital city, Jinan, is twinned with Coventry.

Mr Eaton has been promoting trade with the communist country for the past 12 years, and his colleagues have forged excellent links between the two regions. 4 Club & Country was set up earlier this year by three lifelong Coventry City fans - Paul Sullivan, Dave Charnley and Pete Conway.

Mr Sullivan said: "The shirts are not just a great idea for football fans to show their allegiance to both their club and country; they can also promote good links between communities and cultures."